Pocket knife



May 23, "1939. HY T 2,159,798

' POCKET KNIFE Filed Jan. 13, 1937 INVENTOR: E/merHyafzf BYIQ I,

ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1939 7 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Elmer Hyatt, Kansas City, Mo.

Application January 13, 1937, Serial No. 120,386

. 4 Claims.

The present invention relates to hardware devices, such as articles of cutlery, and aims to pocket knife ,con-

,ga supporting means for rigidly holding the knife against any casual movement when the knife blade is in operative position.-

Accordingly, the invention comprises a substantially three piece construction, including the knife blade and complementary handle and guard members cooperating to provide a handle and also a guard structure for the knife blade when in closed position, and also a handle member and a supporting means for rigidly supporting the blade against any casual movement when projected into operative position. i

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating one preferred form of embodiment of the proposed features of improvement, after which those features and combinations deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing- Figure 1 is a perspective view, showing a fold- I \also latch the blade in said operative position;

I Figure 4 is a plan view showing the device with all the parts in completely folded relation; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view, representing a sec- ,tion taken on the line 5+5 of Figure 4.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, this :fillustrates the improved folding pocket knife of a pivot element 8. The elements 6 and l are preferably of channel construction, as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5, with the handle element 6 slightly slimmer than the guard element 1, so that the pivoted end of the element 6 fits inside the corresponding end of the guard I. At the opposite end of the handle member 6 is pivoted,' upon the pivot element Ill, a suitable blade element l2, which may be of conventional form, and if desired include also a cap-lifting hook I4 as an additional feature of utility, as illustrated in Figures 1-3.

In the use of the knife, having the foregoing construction, it is apparent that the blade may swing about its pivot l0 into either fully extended or operative position as illustrated in Figure 3, or into closed relation to the handle member 6, the cutting edge of the blade entering the channel formed by said element 6 and of course being guarded by the closed side of said handle element; thereupon the complementary handle and guard element I may be swung about its pivot 8 into closed relation to the handle and blade elements; and this element i may preferably be provided with a suitable elongated opening 15 in its outside margin for accommodating the major portion of the blade I2, as illustrated in Figure 4, said opening l5 stopping short of the point or free end of the blade. l2-as well as providing a shoulder l5 for positive locking engagement with the blade shoulder 16, whereby any casual outward movement of the blade from its closed position is prevented.

In opening the structure for using the knife, the combination guard and handle element 1 is first opened into either of the positions illustrated by Figures 1 and 2, and then the blade is swung outward on its pivot ID as indicated in Figure 1, and thereafter fully extended into the position shown in Figures 2 and 3. When thus fully extended, the shoulder 16 at the base of the blade engages a shoulder H on the handle element 6 adjacent its pivot ill for limiting the blade element against any further opening movement beyond the position illustrated 1n Figures 2 and 3. Thereafter thecomplementary handle and guard element l' is swung back again on its pivot 8 into closed relation to the handle element 6, in which position the tip end 18 of said element 1 engages beneath a second shoulder 29 on the blade element I2 adjacent the pivot l0. Thus the element 1 cooperates with the main handle element 6 to provide a convenient handle structure, and also to provide a complementary shoulder l8 for the support of the blade element l2, in which position of the parts, as illustrated in Figure 3, the blade element I2 is obviously supported against any pivotal movement in either direction about the pivot point 10. Thus a very useful function is provided for,

that of preventing any casual closing movement of the blade l2 in the handling or operation of the knife, which without such provision might accidentally be tripped or caused to move to some extent out of its open condition toward closed position, with possible damage to the party using the knife.

As a means for suspending the knife, from a chain or other device, an eyelet 22 may conveniently be provided on one of the handle or guard elements, as on the guard member I as illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4- of the drawing It will therefore be apparent that I have pro=-' vided a practical and simple folding pocket knife construction, composed of but three parts, which fulfill all the necessary functions of handle and complete guard structure for the knife blade while in closed position; andin that position preventing anypossible opening movement of the blade; whereas in the open position for use of the knife blade, the other two elements of the device continueto form a complementary handle structure, and also a blade supporting means for effectively holding the blade against any casual movement in either direction about its pivot, as above explained'.

The construction is extremely simple, and inexpensive to manufacture, for the handle portions of which simple sheet material may be readily used; the construction may also be made in extremely attractive form, and design, and the safety features of the same, either for use as a pocket knife or as a pendant from a chain,

1 make the illustrated embodiment of the invention a very desirable type.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred mode of practicing the invention, and embodying the improvements in satisfactory form, I desire to reserve the right to make whatever changes or modifications may fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1'. A- folding pocket knife comprising, in combination, a handle element, a blade pivoted to one end of said handle element and provided with shoulders on both sides of its pivot point, and a guard element pivoted to the opposite end of said handle element for guarding the blade when in closed position and having a terminal shoulder for abutting engagement with one of the blade shoulders for holding the blade in open position, said guard element being also provided with an opening for hooking engagement with the other blade shoulder for latching said blade in closed position.

2. A folding pocket knife comprising, in combination, a blade, a handle element pivotally carryi'ng said blade and limiting the open movement thereof, and a guard element pivoted to said handle element and cooperating therewith to provide a knife handle and also to guard the blade when in closed position, said guard element being also formed with an opening for fitting over theheel portion of the blade in hooked relationthereto for latching said blade in closed position.

3. A folding pocket knife comprising, in combination, a handle element, a blade pivoted to one end of said handle elementand provided with a locking shoulder adjacent to its pivot point, and a guard element pivoted to the opposite end of said" handle element for guarding the blade when in closed position, said guard element having a slot terminating short of its free end and providing a shoulder for engagement with said blade shoulder for locking the blade in closed position.

4. A folding pocket knife comprising, in combination, a handle element, a blade pivoted to one end of said handle element and provided with shoulders on both sides of its pivot point, and a guard element pivoted to the opposite end of said handle element for guarding the blade when inclosed position, the free end of said guard element cooperating with one of said blade shoulders to latch the blade in open position, said guard element being also formed with an opening adjacent to its free end providing a shoulder for hooking engagement with the other blade shoulder for latching the blade in closed position.

ELMER HYATT. 

